Feeder for cone crushers and the like



Dec. 19,- 1967 R.J. GASPAR/xc ET Al-A FEEDER FOR GONE CRUSHERS AND THBLIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 1l, 1965 .d @my QN wf Mak/fm l ww l..M/M/ uw NN W wmfw. F fw o HH Nl .PLT Q Q www. E lQL Dec. 19, 1967 R.JGASPARAC ET AL 3,358,939

FEEDER FOR CONE CRUSHERS AND THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet B Filed Aug. 11,1965 Dec. 19, 1967 l R. J. GAsPARAc ET AL 3,358,939

FEEDER FOR GONE CRUSHERS AND THE LIKE Filed Aug. 1l, 1965v 5sheets-sheet United States Patent O 3,358,939 FEEDER EUR CNE CRUSHERSANI) THE LIKE Rudolph J. Gasparac, Milwaukee, and Howard M. Zoerb,Cudahy, Wis., assigucrs to Nordberg Manufacturing Company, Milwaukee,Wis., a corporation of Wisconsin Filed Aug. 11, 1965, Ser. No. 478,80512 Claims. (Cl. 241-202) ABSTRACT F THE DISCLOSURE The invention relatesto a centrifugal feed distributor which is particularly adaptable foruse with Crushers in which a head is gyrated within a normally fixedbowl. The crushing cavity between the head and bowl has an annular upperinlet aperture to which the material to be crushed is delivered,properly mixed, by the rotation of a centrifugal feeding device locatedwith an axis generally coincidental with the axis of the gyrated head.If desired, a feed-directing, circumferential wall or hopper may beemployed to guide the centrifugally delivered material into thecircumferential crushing cavity inlet.

This invention is in the field of material reduction rnachines and isconcerned with a cone crusher. More specifically, the invention isconcerned with a means and method for independently feeding anddistributing material in accordance with a pre-arranged rate or scheduleto a crushing cavity defined between the liner and mantle of a coneCrusher for maximum crushing efficiency relative to the crushing actionin the cavity.

A primary object of the invention is to provide an independent andindependently operable feed mixer and distributor for a cone crusher.

Another object is to provide a `method of feeding and distributingmaterial to the crushing cavity for a maximum reduction efficiency.

Another object is to provide an independent feed distributor which maybe set at a rate independent of the Arate of operation of the head of acone crusher.

Another object is a feed distributor for cone Crushers which insuresthat the feed is distributed in a generally horizontal plane at alltimes, regardless of the operation of the crusher head.

Another object is to provide a new and improved crushing method.

Other objects will appear from time to time in the ensuingspecification, drawings and claims.

Referring to the drawings:

FIGURE l is a vertical section of the upper portion of the Crusher;

FIGURE 2 is an axial section on an enlarged scale of the feeddistributor of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a plan View of a varient form of feed distributor;

FIGURE 4 is a section on the line 4-4 of FIGURE 3;

FIGURE 5 is a plan view of another form of feed distributor;

FIGURE 6 is a section on the line 6-6 of FIGURE 5; and

FIGURE 7 is an axial section through a variant form.

Like parts are indicated by like symbols throughout the specificationand drawings.

In FIGURE l the upper part of a cone Crusher has been shown including amain frame 10 supporting a tilting ring 12 on a flange 14 at the upperend of the main frame. The tilting ring is pulled down and held in theposition in which it is shown by a plurality of springs 16 or the likedisposed about the crusher. A bowl 18 is screwthreaded into the tiltingring 12 and removably supports a liner 20 which defines part of acrushing cavity 22 in 3,358,939 Patented Dec. 19, 1967 cooperation witha mantle 24 supported on a suitable head 26 which, in turn, is mountedon a shaft 28. The shaft may be mounted in an eccentric 29 which isrotated through a suitable drive to gyrate the head about a focal point30, the head swiveling in a spherical socket, not herein shown, so as tobe gyrated without being rotated. The mantle is held in place throughsuitable lock rings and sleeves which are held down by a head nut 32above which is positioned an extension cap 33. It will be noted that thehead nut and extension cap rise above the crushing cavity. They are moreor less on a level with the feed cone or conic wall 34, which has or isassociated with the more or less cylindrical upper wall portion 34a. Itwill be noted that the conic Wall 34 is truncated or tapered inwardly insuch fashion as to direct material to the crushing cavity 22. Where thecrushing is carried on between the members 20 and 24 crushing takesplace in the cavity 22. It will be understood that where the upper partof the head, in some forms of cone crusher, is relied upon to perform acrushing function, an upper crushing cavity 22a may be provided. It willbe understood, of course, that there is room for a wide variety ofchanges in form of cone and mantle, and that what is essential is thatwhether the crushing cavity 22 or 22a is employed, or whether both areemployed, they are defined by an outer conic liner and an inner mantleappropriately formed and of appropriate material to perform theircrushing function. Thus, while a particular type of Crusher has beenshown and described, it should be understood that this is merelyrepresentative of a number 0f Crushers which may include or incorporatethe invention.

Referring to the form of FIGURES l and 2, the material to be crushed isfed from above by an inlet spout 40 which, in FIGURES l and 2, is shownas a tubular curved elbow having an upper inlet 41, generally coaxialwith the Crusher head, and an outlet aperture 42, which, under somecircumstances, as shown in the figures, may be located radially asubstantial distance from the axis of the head. It may, for example,miss the extension cap 33 altogether. As will be below described,suitable means are employed for rotating the member 40 at a suiiicientspeed to impart centrifugal movement to the material fed downwardly andoutwardly therethrough.

It will be understood that the crushing head of the cone Crusher is notrotated but only gyrates, and any rotation that it has is caused by aslight frictional drag with the bowl liner during operation. Segregationof feed takes place which results in non-uniform crushing around thecrushing cavity. It has been customary in the past to use a feedingplate at the top of the crushing head, but, in practice, it isadvantageous to avoid the use of a feeding plate in order to distributefeed and to employ an entirely separate feeding mechanism. Thus the feedmember 40 is provided with an outlet 42 which is radially exterior toand completely clears the extension cap 33, and itself constitutes thesole means for feeding material outwardly and downwardly toward thecrushing cavity 22 or 22a. Actually, the liner and mantle shown in FIG-URE 1 are such as will define the lower crushing cavity 22, and amodification of the form of bowl liner and mantle would be necessary inorder to define a crushing cavity including the upper portion 22a. Theshowing will therefore be taken as diagrammatic.

As shown in FIGURE l, we provide suitable supporting bolts 48 or thelike which support a cross or top platform 50, which, in turn, supportsthe upper part of the feed distributor generally indicated at 52. Thisdistributor is suspended or extends downwardly from the top plate orplatform 50 and is employed to discharge or distribute material in agenerally horizontal direction or plane at a point within the feed cone34, or its upper wall portion 34a. The material to be crushed isinitially fed downwardly through an upper passage which may have anupper flange 54 and which may, if desirable, be removable andreplaceable. The distributor and its support are shown in detail inFIGURE 2 and may include an upper ange 55 bolted or otherwise connectedto the top plate 50a. A depending sleeve 56 integral with or connectedto the flange 55 forms the inner frame or foundation of the distributor.A sleeve S is supported for rotation on the frame by suitable bearings59 or the like with a bottom plate 60 removably connected by bolts 51 orthe like to the sleeve 5S. We may provide any suitable seals 62, whichmay be labyrinths or otherwise, at the top and bottom of the rotatablesleeve 58 so that the space around the bearings is totally enclosed andmay be supplied with lubricant or grease by a suitable fitting 63. Aflange or plate 70 at the lower end of the bottom plate 60 rotates withit and may be connected to it and to outer sleeve 58 by bolts 71 or thelike. The plate '70 carries, or has secured to it, or may be madeintegral with, the centrifugal discharge passage 40. The outer sleeve 58may have or include a suitable gear 72 which is driven by any suitablemeans, such as a cog belt or the like 73 from a separate drive motor 74having a drive pinion 75, the whole being mounted on the top plate 50a.

The drive motor 74 or the like may be electric, hydraulic, or otherwise,but an essential characteristic is that it is totally separate fromwhatever motor is used to drive or gyrate the crushing head, and,accordingly, may be set to drive the feed distributor at a rate which istotally independent of the crushing rate.

Referring to FIGURE 2, any suitable means may be employed to feedparticles of mixed size, to be reduced, into the upper end of the tubeor passage 53. The particles so fed are delivered by `gravity downwardlythrough the entry aperture 41 of the member 40. In the form of FIGURES 1and 2 the member 40 is shown as a tube forming a curvilinear elbow. Theresult of the entry of particles of mixed size into a passage of thistype and shape, taken in connection with its rotation at a suitablerate, is such as to provide a thorough mixture of particles by size. Inthe structure as shown these mixed particles do not impinge upon themember 33 at all. They are delivered centrifugally generally outwardlythrough the outlet 42 which is axially substantially spaced from theindicated axis 30a of the head. There is no tendency for material togather or pack or segregate in the passage 40.

Whereas we have illustrated the passage 40 as a tube, it will beunderstood that under some circumstances the upper part of the tube maybe omitted, and that it may consist, in a broad sense, of a species oftrough. However, the tubular form is practical, strong, wear-resistantand efficient as a mixing element.

Referring to the form of FIGURES 3 and 4, a somewhat diferent form ofmore or less tubular feed distributor is indicated which may besubstituted for the member 40. A top plate or ring 170 is shown ascarrying a generally vertical, downwardly extending tube 171 shown asterminating in a downwardly and outwardly inclined bottom plate 172. Thetube 171 is cut away, as at 173, to provide a single discharge outlet.The bottom 172 is downwardly and outwardly inclined toward the opening173 and is outwardly, radially continued, as at 172g, to increase thecarrying distance of the particles fed. To prevent any gathering orpacking we show an inclined baffle 174 against which the fallingmaterial drops and as a result of which it is more or less cammed orurged toward and through the opening 173.` The outward extension 17211of the inclined bottom member 170 adds to the centrifugal accelerationof the fed material.

Another form is indicated in FIGURES 5 and 6. The top plate 270,corresponding to 70 and 170 of the other forms, carries a downwardly andoutwardly inclined element 271, indicated as rectilinear and having atop receiving aperture 272 generally concentric with the axis of thecrusher head, and a bottom discharge outlet 273 downwardly and outwardlyspaced from 272 and radially extending substantially outwardly of theindicated axis of the head. The axis of the head is diagrammaticallyiillustrated at 30a in the various forms of the various figures. It willbe realized, of course, that the angle of the member 271 may be varied,and likewise its length. While we prefer to have it in tubular form, itwill be understood that a trough, at least partly open at the top, maybe employed. The relationship with the counterweight may be as shown inFIGURE 2.

The form of FIGURE 7 illustrates the use of an opentopped trough. Asshown, any suitable motor means, generally indicated as 300, drives apulley 301 which, through belts 302, rotates the feeder structure. 303,304 and 305 indicate the components of a fixed structure suitablysupported above the crushing cavity and coaxial with the crusher axis.The internal space 306 provides ample room for the feed of the materialto be crushed. The parts 303, 304 and 305 are held together, forexample, by bolts 307. The part 304- includes a shelf 304:1 to receive asingle ball bearing unit, generally indicated as 308. The rotated ring309 is outwardly grooved to receive the belts 302, `whereby it isrotated. Any suitable seals are employed, such as` are shown at 310 and311. The feeder proper includes the ring 312 connected by bolts 313 tothe lower outwardly extending flange 3:03a of the ring 308. Extendingdownwardly from the ring 312 are chute sides 314 connected at theirlower edges by any suitable bottom portion or member 315. The chute iscompleted by the downward extension 316 from the ring 312, which may besuitably secured to the part 315. Alternatively, the entire chutestructure may be unitary; for example, it may be cast of one piece.Preferably, the part 315 includes a relatively highly inclined portion315a and a less `inclined portion 315b, Covering the bottom 315 may beany suitable liner, indicated as 316, which may be of rubber or asuitable rubber substitute, or a metal of high wear resistance. Ifdesired, such a resistant liner may be applied also to the sides 314,but, normally, a wear resistant bottom portion, such as is shown at 316,is adequate.

As the material to be crushed is fed downwardly through the axialaperture 306 it impinges on the inclined bottom portion, and tends toslide down the slope and out across the less inclined portion, which mayeven be horizontal, if desired. The effect of the rotation of the feederis to impart centrifugal movement to the particles sliding or movingdown through the chute. As in the other forms, the centrifugally fedparticles move outwardly toward the directing portions 34, 34a as shownin FIGURE l, and are thereby directed downwardly into the crushingcavity.

The use, operation and function of our invention are as follows:

According to certain crushing methods, it is desirable that the feed tothe crushing cavity be made up of a certain proportion and distributionof coarser particles and finer particles to prevent segregation anduneven crushing. It is quite important that segregation does not takeplace and that the thorough intermixing of coarse and fine particlesshould be delivered and distributed to the crushing cavity on a cyclicalbasis which is releated to the crushing action. It is highly importantthat a thorough intermixing of particles of different sizes bemaintained and distributed to the cavity of a uniform cyclical basis.This has been difficult in the past, since the slow creeping rotation ofthe head or the somewhat more rapid rotation of the eccentric hasrequired a complicated gearing to a distributor arrangement which wasdirectly dependent upon the rate of operation of the crushing head.

In the present arrangement we completely divorce these two. The rate ofcrushing action and the operation of the crusher head may be madetotally independent of the rate of feed and distribution. The reverse isalso true. The intermixing of coarse and fine particles, and the rate offeed and distribution, and, in fact, the over-all operation of thefeeder and distributor, may be made or set at a rate which is totallyindependent of the crushing action. The two may and should be related sothat the crushing will be carried out at maximum efficiency.

In essence, we provide an independent distributor which is freelylocated more or less directly above the crushing head and vertically, atleast in part, aligned with it. The separate distributor is locatedabove and out of contact with the head. The separate distributor has itsown independent drive which may be set to provide different rates ofdistribution, depending upon whether wet or dry material is beingsupplied, or depending upon other factors, so that the distribution tothe crushing cavity will be at an optimum rate at all times.

It is also important to note that there is no gyration or oscillation,since the distributor is totally independent of and separated from thehead. All forms of the distributor can be fully and evenly balanced. Inthe form of FIG- URE 2 the initial distribution may be generally in ahorizontal plane. In the forms of FIGURES 4 and 6 the initial deliveryis in a downward as well as in an outward direction. In any event, thematerial contacts the outer walls 34 and 34a, and enters the crushingcavity. Stating the invention in method terms, we traverse a downwardlyand outwardly extending feed zone about the crushing cavity, whilefeeding material downwardly along the axis of the head and delivering itcentrifugally outwardly over the crushing cavity at a rate entirelyindependent of the rate of gyration.

The basic distribution may be easily changed by the operator in thefield, depending upon the over-all performance of the machine and thecondition of the feed. The operator may observe the degree of reductionand separation and adjust the distribution accordingly.

All forms of the feed distributor are the essence of simplicity. In eachexample a distributor is rotated about a generally upright axis which iscoincident with the crusher axis. The vmaterial fed down through thecenter chute or liner 53 may, due to the handling equipment used, besomewhat segregated. In each form there is only a single exit and,therefore, the coarse and fines leave together. In each form, whereasthe inlet, as at 41, is axial, the outlet, as at 42, is radially spacedoutwardly from the center of the crusher. Therefore, all of thematerial, in all the forms shown, must turn a corner, in the course ofwhich coarse and fines are thoroughly and completely mixed. Thus eachform of distributor provides a fully mixed, single spray of material,with no opportunity for the material to segregate itself between coarseand fines. Thus all portions of the crushing cavity will receive a fullyintermixed supply of material which will result in uniform crushingaction throughout, and an even wear throughout, the entire circumferenceof the crushing cavity.

With reference to the form of FIGURES 2 and 6, the axial distance fromthe center of the machine of the outlets 42 and 273 respectively issufficient to impart a substantial centrifugal movement to theunsegregated material being fed toward the crushing cavity. Preferably,but not necessarily, the outlets are radially beyond the contour of theweight 33. If, under some circumstances, a feeding plate 4is employedthen the spray lof material from the distributor may be interrupted inits free flight by the peripheral edge of the plate. In any event, thematerial is given sufficient velocity by the distributor to moveoutwardly above and into the crushing cavity.

Referring to the form of FIGURE 4, the inclined bottom wall 172 directsthe material toward the single opening 173 and across the centrifugallyaccelerating shelf 17251. The baffle 174 prevents the accumulation andsegregation of material.

It will be understood that an open-top trough may, under somecircumstances, be preferable to a closed or tubular passage. Such atrough is shown in FIGURE 7.

While we have shown and described several forms of our invention itshould be understood that suitable additional modifications, changes,substitutions and alterations may be :made without departing from theinventions fundamental theme. For example, if gyration is desired,which, under some circumstances, may be advantageous in preventinggathering of material in delivery passages, bearings for causinggyration, as well as rotation, may be employed. We therefore wish thatthe invention be unrestricted except as by the appended claims.

We claim:

1. In a Crusher having a gyrated head, a frame, a bowl mounted on theframe and defining, with the gyrated head, a crushing cavity, means forgyrating the head at a predetermined rate, a feed distribution above thehead and generally aligned axially with the head and spaced upwardlyfrom it, said feed distributor including a feed delivery element havingan upper intake opening generally concentric with the axis of the headand an outlet spaced substantially downwardly from the intake andradially outwardly from the axis of the head, Said feed delivery elementhaving a downwardly and outwardly sloping bottom portion underlying theintake opening and terminating radially outwardly of the circumferenceof the intake opening, and separate power means for rotating the feeddistributor so that material will be fed to the cavity at a ratecompletely independent of the rate of gyration of the head, andsufficient to cause centrifugal movement of the material outwardlysubstantially beyond the outlet of the feed delivery element.

2. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube.

3. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube which isgenerally rectilinear.

4. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a downwardly and outwardly extending open-ended tube which isat least in part longitudinally curvilinear.

5. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a delivery element having an intermediate bend between itsupper and lower ends.

6. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a delivery element in the form of an open-topped chute havingmaterial guiding bottom and sides.

7. The structure of claim 1 characterized in that the feed distributorincludes a delivery element in the forrn of an open-topped chute, saidchute having a substantially inclined bottom portion axially alignedwith the axis of the Crusher, and a terminal portion extending outwardlytherefrom adapted for the centrifugal acceleration of the particles feddown the chute.

8. In a cone Crusher, a frame, an overhanging bowl in the frame, agyrating head mounted in the frame defining a crushing cavity with thebowl, means for gyrating the head at a predetermined rate, a feed wallabove the crushing cavity arranged to deliver material by gravity to thecavity, a feed distributor above the cavity generally within the walland generally aligned axially with the head but spaced upwardly from it,said feed distributor including a feed delivery element having an upperintake end generally concentric with the head and an outlet radiallysubstantially spaced downwardly from the intake, the feed deliveryelement being generally vertical but terminating in a downwardly andoutwardly inclined bottom wall aligned with a single discharge aperture.

9. The structure of claim 8 characterized by the provision of aninclined baffle intermediate the ends of the feed delivery element andformed and adapted to prevent the gathering or segregation of materialintermediate the ends of the feed element.

10. In a feeding assembly for cone Crushers and the like, a rotor andmeans for rotating it, said rotor having 7 8 an axially aperturedportion and an open-topped chute 12. The structure of claim 1characterized in that the depending therefrom, said chute having aninclined botdelivery element of the feed distributor includes a retornportion aligned with the axis of the Crusher and a Paabl@ bOOm Surfacmgterminal portion extending outwardly therefrom and References Citedadapted for the centrifugal acceleration of particles mov- 5 ing downthe Chut@ UNITED STATES PATENTS 11. In a feed assembly for cone Crushersand the like, 3,212,720 10/1965 Gasparac 241-30 a rotor and means forrotating 1t, said rotor having an WILLIAM W. DYER, JR., PrimaryExaminer.

axially apertured portion and a tubular delivery member extendingdownwardly and outwardly therefrom. 10 R- J- ZLATNIK, ASSSH'" Exflmll

1. IN A CRUSHER HAVING A GYRATED HEAD, A FRAME, A BOWL MOUNTED ON THEFRAME AND DEFINING, WITH THE GYRATED HEAD, A CRUSHING CAVITY, MEANS FORGYRATING THE HEAD AT A PREDETERMINED RATE, A FEED DISTRIBUTION ABOVE THEHEAD AND GENERALLY ALIGNED AXIALLY WITH THE HEAD AND SPACED UPWARDLYFROM ITS, SAID FEED DISTRIBUTOR INCLUDING A FEED DELIVERY ELEMENT HAVINGAN UPPER INTAKE OPENING GENERALLY CONCENTRIC WITH THE AXIS OF THE HEADAND AN OUTLET SPACED SUBSTANTIALLY DOWNWARDLY FROM THE INTAKE ANDRADIALLY OUTWARDLY FROM THE AXIS OF THE HEAD, SAID FEED DELIVERY ELEMENTHAVING A DOWNWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY SLOPING BOTTOM PORTION UNDERLYING THEINTAKE OPENING AND TERMINATING RADIALLY OUTWARDLY OF THE CIRCUMFERENCEOF THE INTAKE OPENING, AND SEPARATE POWER MEANS FOR ROTATING THE FEEDDISTRIBUTOR SO THAT MATERIAL WILL BE FED TO THE CAVITY AT A RATECOMPLETELY INDEPENDENT OF THE RATE OF GYRATION OF THE HEAD, ANDSUFFICIENT TO CAUSE CENTRIFUGAL MOVEMENT OF THE MATERIAL OUTWARDLYSUBSTANTIALLY BEYOND THE OUTLET OF THE FEED DELIVERY ELEMENT.